The Executive Board approved a recommendation from the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates to contract with the Baltimore-based test vendor Thomson Prometric to develop and administer a new computer-based examination for use in step three of the ECFVG certification program. The new examination will replace the current step three examination, the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination, which is owned and administered by the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, was first administered in 2000.

At its November 2004 meeting, the board approved distributing a request for proposals for the development of a new step three examination, which will be developed, maintained, and administered under contract with the vendor, but owned by the AVMA.

After reviewing numerous proposals, the ECFVG unanimously approved a motion to recommend Thomson Prometric to the board as its preferred vendor. The commission was impressed with Thomson's ability to clearly and succinctly explain the processes used in developing test forms and scoring scales to ensure a psychometrically sound and legally defensible test. Thomson also has a wide network of secure, state-of-the-art, computer-based testing centers, which will allow ECFVG candidates to readily access the new step three examination.

The ECFVG anticipates the new examination will be administered in late 2006 or 2007. Though the Association and Thomson will finalize costs during contract negotiations, ECFVG estimates the total cost to the AVMA in 2005 will be $60,170, taken from reserves.